Woods and Finishes

THE OBLIGATION TO MATERIALS
We have no right to misuse wood. We did not make it. We found it, like air, water and grass. The only possible manner of acquiring any rights over it is by putting the stamp of character upon it. The theologians tell us of sins, as if we were under obligation to a spiritual world alone. But sheer wickedness in the use of materials ought to cause even a materialist to shudder. Wood is one of the best things we have. Whether Grinling Gibbons puts his tool to it or we make a milking stool of it, men will measure us by the manner of our handling it.
Only people with a sense of reverence for materials can make good citizens. A man must use wood well, or he will mistreat his neighbors.

—Wallace Nutting

Following are our standard woods. We’re able, in fact, to offer most frames in any domestic or sustained-yield tropical hardwood available to us. Inquiries about other species are always welcome. Read more about our woods and how we finish them…

White Oak—Quartersawn, Riftsawn and Plainsawn

By far our most popular wood is quartersawn white oak, usually stained, which features a coarse grain and wild and distinctive “ray flake” figure. The strong visual interest provided by this wood requires careful selection so that the figure is balanced over the whole frame and is appropriate to the character of the picture, since it can be distracting. While most of our customers prefer quartersawn white oak, we also offer plainsawn and riftsawn white oak. Finishing options are shown below. Learn more about why we like to use this wood so much…

Finishes for White Oak—

Quartersawn white oak — Clear

Quartersawn white oak — Honey Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Guild Brown

Quartersawn white oak — Van Dyke

Quartersawn white oak — Oxford Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Dark Mahogany

Quartersawn white oak — Onondaga

Quartersawn white oak — Medieval Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Chestnut

Quartersawn white oak — Light Medieval Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Nut Brown

Quartersawn white oak — Weathered Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Dark Weathered Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Silver-Grey

Quartersawn white oak — Saturated Medieval Oak

Quartersawn white oak — Black-Brown

Quartersawn white oak — Black

Quartersawn white oak — Gustav Green

Walnut

Finishes for Walnut—

Walnut—clear

Walnut—Nut Brown

Walnut—Medieval

Walnut—Silver-Grey

Walnut—Black wash

Walnut—Black

Honduran Mahogany

Please note that mahogany starts out rather light and darkens with age.

Finishes for Honduran Mahogany—

Mahogany—clear

Mahogany—Brown Mahogany

Mahogany—Dark Mahogany

Mahogany—Van Dyke

Cherry

Please note that cherry starts out rather light and darkens with age.

Finishes for Cherry—

Cherry—clear

Cherry—Brown Mahogany

Cherry—Light Guild Brown

Cherry—Chestnut

Cherry—Black Wash

Cherry—Black

Maple

A beautiful blond wood, maple may be stained to a warm medium brown for a classic early American look. We offer figured maple as well as plain (learn more…).